During the mid 1980's the Division of State Police intensified its efforts to attack organized criminal organizations which had previously operated with impunity in New Jersey. This concerted, sustained investigative effort successfully applied the systematic use of racketeering prosecutions in organized crime cases, resulting in a series of racketeering convictions which left many criminal enterprises in disarray. Long incarceration periods associated with racketeering convictions prompted several organized crime members and associates to become cooperating witnesses for the state. As a condition of their testimony, the witnesses demanded protection from retaliation by their former organized crime associates. At the time, this type of protection was obtained via entry into the Federal Witness Protection Program. This program placed the witness under the protection and control of the federal government, and consequently restricted the State’s access to its own witness.

The strict regulations governing the Federal Witness Protection Program caused many potential witnesses cultivated by the Division of State Police to refuse participation in the federal program. As a result, the Division of State Police found itself in the position of having potentially cooperative witnesses for trial who could not be adequately protected from retaliation. This and other factors prompted the New Jersey State Police, in conjunction with the Division of Criminal Justice, to establish a state program to relocate state witnesses. Since 1987, the program has successfully relocated many witnesses and their dependants in various states throughout the country. Admission into the state program is determined on a case by case basis and is funded through the State’s criminally-derived asset forfeiture account.

The testimony and investigative assistance provided by individuals in the Witness Relocation Program proved to be vital to state prosecutions. During an organized crime operation, their efforts resulted in the incarceration of mob bosses, the in-person recording of a La Cosa Nostra initiation ceremony, and the disruption of criminal activities of several organized crime families in New Jersey.

As times have changed and other criminal enterprises have emerged, witness relocation assistance has continued to prosper. During one operation, the New Jersey State Police Street Gang Unit initiated and subsequently successfully prosecuted the first statewide racketeering investigation targeting a street gang.

ELIGIBILITY

An individual may be considered for acceptance into the Witness Relocation Program if the person is an essential witness in a criminal investigation targeting organized criminal activity or other serious offense, or in an official proceeding and has in some manner committed himself/herself to providing testimony at trial.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

When it is determined that a witness is to enter the program, the witness will be asked to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, which is an agreement between the witness and the State. Witness relocation is a mutually beneficial arrangement for the individual and the State of New Jersey. The following issues, where applicable, are addressed in the agreement:

• Length of Agreement
• Parameters of Testimony/Cooperation
• Specific Terms For Monetary Compensation
• Resolution of Judicial Matters
• Resolution of Child Custody Issues
• Terms identifying a Breach of Security
• Waiver of Liability
• Employment Issues

SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE WITNESS RELOCATION UNIT

• The New Jersey State Police Witness Relocation Unit will provide a variety of services to ensure the continued health, safety and anonymity of a witness. The Witness Relocation Unit will assist the witness with his/her social adjustment by aiding them in becoming self-sufficient and assimilating into their new environment.
  
  
• Procure locations for temporary safe sites prior to relocation and upon an individual’s return to New Jersey for official purposes
• Assist with the preparation of the Memorandum of Understanding
• Provide documents to enable the witness to establish his/her new identity, if required
• Research and locate permanent suitable housing
• Provide and/or arrange for the transportation of household furniture
• Ensure monthly monetary payments are sent in a timely manner
• Assist the witness in obtaining gainful employment
• Assist the witness in maintaining confidentiality at his/her location
• Assist the witness in complying with any legal obligations/civil judgements
• Maintaining and monitoring personal information such as official activities, employment, and current address
• Forwarding of mail and assisting with telephone calls to New Jersey
• Assist with daily problems that may arise as a result of being relocated
• Assist with funeral arrangements, to the extent practicable, when the witness or a family member passes away

DUTY HOURS

The New Jersey State Police Witness Relocation Unit is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by contacting the ROIC at 609-963-6900 or 609-882-2000.